Monday, December 1, 2008

Since the Mumbai terrorist attacks, there has been a lot of chatter in the blogosphere about whether or not a citizen armed with a handgun could have made a difference against men armed with rifles.

Allow me to remind you of someone - Jeanne Assam. With training, her 9mm Beretta and just 10 rounds, she stopped a man armed with a rifle and intent on mass murder.

In my search for information on Ms. Assam, I found this remarkable interview, where she walks a reporter through the church describing what happened. I have watched it a number of times and my reaction is always, "Wow. She is the epitome of a sheepdog."* and I decide all over again that she is one of my personal heroes.

Jeanne Assam's story should remind us all that we can never know when our day to make a difference might come.

17 comments:

whether or not a citizen armed with a handgun could have made a difference against men armed with rifles.The answer is quite complex, but of course that isn't to say it can't be done. The brains behind the tool sometimes makes ALL the difference.

As I've enjoyed reading your blog, it has had an effect. Just as you had said the article was "one of the things that made me who I am today," you are also bringing changes to my life. I really appreciate the perspective and structure that article brings. It allows me to see our role in a new light. Also, it illustrates why people are 'anti-gun'. "The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence." This makes it so clear. Another point I liked was how any liberal will embrace a fire extinguisher or fire fighter, but wants to deny any need for a policeman, soldier, or armed citizen. The only problem I have with the article, written by a law enforcement or military individual, is that the perspective is clearly police/soldier = sheepdog. In reality, any sheep can become a dog, and our forefathers envisioned a pasture full of sheepdogs, even if all the other fields in the world are full of sheep countries. Thanks Breda. I really appreciate what you bring to the table.

Jeanne Assam has been one of my heros since that day last December. I mention her and her actions whenever appropriate to the anti gun crowd.

Had India not had their anti gun laws the outcome could have been far different. But they do so we'll never know how many could have been saved.

I'm proud to be a sheepdog, even if most of my family and a number of friends don't understand. But because I bring up Assam, I'm getting converts including 3 daughters who shoot (ages 22, 21 &10). Even my mom is starting to understand. Won't touch a gun but isn't squemish at it's sight on my hip anymore.

Breda, Like a poster above I have a problem with Colonel Grossman's article.

I am not a sheep, nor a wolf, nor even a sheepdog. I am a wolfhound. I do not graze mindlessly to be preyed upon. I do not prey upon others. I do not fleece the sheep to keep the most productive safe. Please note that sheepdogs serve as much to keep the sheep in line as to protect them. I live my life as I choose, while allowing others to live their lives as they choose. However, God have mercy on any wolf that threatens me, or mine.

"is that the perspective is clearly police/soldier = sheepdog. In reality, any sheep can become a dog, and our forefathers envisioned a pasture full of sheepdogs, even if all the other fields in the world are full of sheep countries."

A great point, and a point that the media is trying to take advantage of. How many articles mention that Ms. Assam is a former Cop? How many mention that she was carrying as a private citizen and using a regular Colorado CCW permit?

Israel has a fantastic number of citizens who know that you never know when you might come under attack. How often do they make a point to mention "Off Duty Soldier" without taking the time to point out that nearly every citizen, male or female, in Israel serves in the army there?

They don't want the Sheepdogs to be normal people, they want the sheep to forever think that they are so different, and they can never change.